Breville
Breville Barista Express BES870
$699.95
Released 2015
Best Espresso Machines · head-to-head
Breville Barista Express BES870 vs Gaggia Classic Evo Pro
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Gaggia Classic Evo Pro is cheaper at $499.95. Every spec and price links to its source.
Gaggia
Gaggia Classic Evo Pro
$499.95Cheaper
Released 2023
Which is better: the Breville Barista Express BES870 or Gaggia Classic Evo Pro?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Gaggia Classic Evo Pro is the cheaper at $499.95.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Breville Barista Express BES870 | Gaggia Classic Evo Pro |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $699.95 | $499.95 |
| Brand | Breville | Gaggia |
| Released | 2015 | 2023 |
| Type | semi-automatic | semi-automatic |
| Boiler | thermocoil | single boiler (aluminum) |
| Built in grinder | Yes | No |
| Grind settings | 16 | — |
| Milk frother | manual steam wand | professional steam wand |
| Pressure (bar) | 15 | 9 |
| Water tank (L) | 2 | 2.1 |
| Programmable | Yes | No |
| Release | 2015 | 2023 |
Sources — Breville Barista Express BES870: breville.com (verified 2026-06-15). Gaggia Classic Evo Pro: homegrounds.co (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Breville Barista Express BES870 and Gaggia Classic Evo Pro?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Boiler: Breville Barista Express BES870 thermocoil vs Gaggia Classic Evo Pro single boiler (aluminum)
- Built in grinder: Breville Barista Express BES870 true vs Gaggia Classic Evo Pro false
- Milk frother: Breville Barista Express BES870 manual steam wand vs Gaggia Classic Evo Pro professional steam wand
- Pressure (bar): Breville Barista Express BES870 15 vs Gaggia Classic Evo Pro 9
- Water tank (L): Breville Barista Express BES870 2 vs Gaggia Classic Evo Pro 2.1
- Programmable: Breville Barista Express BES870 true vs Gaggia Classic Evo Pro false
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Breville Barista Express BES870
Based on one whitelisted hands-on review (Tom's Guide, April 2023). The reviewer set the machine up in the office for extended testing and rates it among the best espresso machines, praising consistently excellent shots with thick crema and superior milk steaming, while flagging the lack of a low-water warning, a fingerprint-prone stainless finish, and a real learning curve. No cross-source verification was possible; treat as a single-source view. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Consistently produces excellent espresso shots with thick crema; Superior milk steaming and frothing once mastered; Classic all-in-one stainless design with built-in conical burr grinder and four baskets.
Flagged: No low-water warning and the reservoir is hidden at the back, hard to check at a glance; Stainless finish quickly picks up fingerprints and stray coffee grounds; Learning curve; steaming milk and swapping single/double baskets takes practice.
Gaggia Classic Evo Pro
Two whitelisted hands-on reviews — Tom's Guide and TechRadar — recommend the Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro for espresso enthusiasts. Both praise the rich shots with plenty of body and crema, the large ~2.1L water tank, and the effective steam wand, and both fault the stingy accessories (a flimsy plastic tamp, no milk jug or cleaning kit) and the tall drip tray that makes fitting cups underneath difficult. TechRadar adds that it runs quietly (66dB), while Tom's Guide notes the lack of a PID. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Rich espresso with plenty of body and crema; Large ~2.1L water tank; Effective steam wand / good milk foam.
Flagged: Stingy accessories — flimsy plastic tamp, no milk jug or cleaning kit for the price; Tall drip tray makes fitting cups/scales under the portafilter difficult; No PID; temperatures not fully stable without modding.